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It's hard to be a parent to young adults. While much of your parenting job is finished, your parent/child relationship continues. You know how important it is for your grown children to exercise independence, get careers and families started, and take responsibility for their lives. So you worry, Has my daughter studied that career choice carefully? Does my son know how important saving is at this stage? Why aren't they working harder? And, I really wish I could see them in church more often.

The final sections of Ecclesiastes are the words of an old, wise man looking back on a life that was far from satisfying. For a few moments he speaks to young adults. He voices some of the concerns common among today's parents, but he also shows early adulthood is far more than gaining financial stability. He says things like: "Cast your bread upon the waters" (11:1). "Give a serving" (11:2). "Rejoice … walk … in the sight of your eyes" (11:9). But lest one think he advocates perpetual childhood, he also advises, "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand" (11:6). "Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun" (11:7). And, "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth" (12:1).

Probably the less often you voice your concerns, the better. And the more often twentysomethings heed them, the better yet. (See also Ezekiel 18:1-20; Amos 5:6-27; Matthew 14:24-33; 1 Timothy 4:6-16.)

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth. Ecclesiastes 12:1

How independent do you allow your adult child to be?

Copyright 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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